Report Cards: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox

Baseball teams don’t have to endure the common core or bubble sheets but they still get report cards. This season seems to be shaping up as one of more interest than the 2013 campaign. My question, one month in, is 2014 the year of instant replay or the year of the infield shift? In any event, your March/April report cards for the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.

New York Yankees (15-11):

They certainly look better than last season. Although they did have a better record (16-10) in 2013. It is a little too early to be concerned about their minus eleven run differential but the offense will have to warm up if the pitchers keep dropping like flies. Their solid 10-7 mark within the AL East, overshadows a 1-3 ledger against the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.

Three Up:

Yangervis Solarte: A revelation thus far, primarily at third base. Solarte is batting .303, leads the club with 12 walks and is tied for the team lead in RBI (13) and doubles (9). A-Rod, who?

Masahiro Tanaka: Pretty good for a “fourth starter.” Tanaka carries a record of 3-0 and an ERA of 2.27. Tanaka has three double digits strikeout games and paces the squad with 46.

Carlos Beltran/Jacoby Ellsbury: Okay, so that’s more than three but call it the “thunder and lightning” combo. Beltran has a team leading five home runs and is tied with Solarte’s 13-RBI and Ellsbury has a team leading .312 average, 29 hits and eight stolen bases.

Unsung Heroes:

Ichiro Suzuki, Adam Warren and Dellin Betances.

Three Down:

Brian Roberts: Alright, the expectations weren’t that high to begin with but we’re almost to the point of pondering whether or not he warrants a roster spot. Eleven walks don’t come close to making up for a paltry .222 batting average.

Hiroki Kuroda: A guy getting paid like a number two starter but pitching to a 5.28 ERA. Kuroda’s 18 K’s are an alarming number, especially when one compares it to some of the guys in the bullpen.

CC Sabathia: Maybe the weather will be the turnaround for CC. Sabathia has gone from flat out bad to having that one bad inning, in recent starts. He’s getting paid to be an ace but that 5.11 ERA doesn’t cut it.

Grade: A-

Despite a negative run differential and mediocre starting pitching, first place is first place and they would be in the playoffs if they began today.

New York Mets (15-11):

A vast improvement over their 10-15 record from last April. Even though the front office can’t get out of its own way, issuing dumb press releases, this club seems to be growing and has a good vibe in the clubhouse. They are a plus five in run differential, which is a positive sign. Their 6-7 record against NL East foes, isn’t too bad, considering a combined 1-5 ledger at home against the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. Most impressive was their three-game desert drubbing of the Arizona Diamondbacks, outscoring the Snakes by a 21-5 margin, during a series sweep.

Three Up:

Dillon Gee: A model of consistency, proving his Opening Day start was well warranted. Since May 30, 2013, Gee has done everything asked of him. On the young season, Gee sports an ERA of 2.88.

Jon Niese: One minute it looks like his arm is going under the knife, the next, he’s knifing through opposing lineups. Niese has a stellar 2.20 ERA on the year. Like Gee, Niese is an innings eater for the Mets. Niese has won his past two starts and might have a better record, if given the corresponding support.

Jennry Mejia: Another case of a young player taking full advantage of his opportunity with the Mets. Mejia is 3-0 with an ERA of 3.49 and is tied with Zack Wheeler for the club lead with 31 K’s. If he can harness his control, he should continue to be a promising pitcher for New York.

Unsung Heroes:

Carlos Torres, Eric Young and Lucas Duda.

Three Down:

Curtis Granderson: You could live with the team leading 29 strikeouts but not when they’re coupled with one home run and a .136 batting average.

Chris Young: Young was the other big signing by the Mets and while he’s had some injury issues, I’m sure the Mets were expecting more than two home runs and a .205 batting average.

Ruben Tejada: Not much was expected of him to begin with. Batting .221, while not providing anything in the way of pop or speed.

Grade: A-

I’m usually a tough grader but I’ll be a fair grader here. Their bullpen had some hiccups in the early going and they could stand to be more consistent at home but they do have a winning record, they are second place in the NL East and if the playoffs started today, they’d be the top NL Wild Card team.

Boston Red Sox (13-14):

A bit of a World Series hangover, if you will. That is especially true when one considers that the Red Sox rocketed to an 18-8 start last year. Inconsistency with the lineup, a surprising lack of depth and faltering at the back end of the rotation, has left Boston scuffling in the early going. So far the Red Sox have a minus 12 run differential. This lineup could use Mookie Betts.

Three Up:

Koji Uehara: Uehara is still lights out. Over 9 2/3 innings, Uehara has posted an ERA of 0.93, registering six saves and recording 17 punch outs.

Jon Lester: An ERA of 3.10, 43 K’s in 40 2/3 innings and only eight walks. Somehow Lester only has two wins and could use some more support.

Mike Napoli/David Ortiz: Providing the pop for the Red Sox, each has five home runs apiece. Napoli is hitting .305 with 15-RBI and Ortiz has driven in 14.

Unsung Heroes:

Junichi Tazawa, Chris Capuano, John Lackey.

Three Down:

Clay Buchholz: His 6.66 ERA is downright devilish but not in a good way.

Grady Sizemore: Maybe not fair, considering he’s been out of baseball since 2011 but even with the nice first week out of the gate, a .205 batting average probably doesn’t warrant an every day spot in the lineup.

Grade: C.

Considering some of their adjustments, they’re not in bad shape in the AL East. Getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers at home, doesn’t look quite as bad now but so far they are 9-9 in the division. Boston could really use a jump starter and perhaps some of their young players provide a spark.

One Response

Mike, well done..Id only switch out Young who is a .200 hitter anyway, ha, with my guy D. Wright….he has only 5 extra base hits this year which is highly disappointing…and alot of his singles have been bleeders….he is at least getting RBI’s when the chances have been there….

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